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Free from gluten

Today, we’re beginning a week-long series on “A Taste of General Mills” called “5 Food Trends for 2012,” which focuses on some things to watch related to the food industry, consumers and nutrition.

As one of the largest food companies in the world, we get excited about these things. We know you may not be as tantalized by the trends as we are, but there is a good chance you’ve noticed what we’re highlighting.

So, each day, we’ll focus on a different trend and get experts to weigh in.

First up, we look at a trend that we’ve titled: “Free from gluten.”

More and more people are ditching gluten even though they don’t have to. Danna Korn has been living a gluten-free lifestyle for more than 20 years. She is considered a gluten-free guru, contributes to GlutenFreely.com, and travels the world helping people live and love a gluten-free lifestyle. We asked her about switching to a free from gluten diet.

Many people are omitting gluten without a doctor advising them to. Is that a good idea? A bad idea?

Korn: A lot of people are trying a gluten-free diet to feel better without being tested for allergies, gluten sensitivity or celiac disease. I personally am a very big proponent of proper testing. For one thing, you need to know which of those conditions you have. An allergy is very different from celiac disease, so you need to know which condition you have. You could have some other things going on, as well. So I’m a big advocate of proper testing.

Do you believe a gluten-free lifestyle is good for everyone?

Korn: Whether or not everyone will benefit from a gluten-free lifestyle is hard to say. Most people who have gluten sensitivity or celiac disease don’t know they have the condition – and those people would definitely benefit from going gluten-free. However, it is incredibly important to get tested first before going gluten-free to accurately confirm a diagnosis. Thus, if someone has symptoms, and there are hundreds of them, they should be tested for gluten sensitivity and celiac disease, and then decide. If one decides to go gluten-free before getting tested, it could affect test results. I do believe there are many people out there who have no idea that their lives would be greatly improved if they went gluten-free!

Why did you a adopt a gluten-free lifestyle, and did you notice a difference in how you felt?

Korn: Honestly, it was more of a personal decision for me. After my son’s diagnosis of celiac disease, our household embraced the gluten-free lifestyle, and we are loving it!

Where do you see the gluten-free trend heading?

Korn: I have no doubt that this is not just a passing trend, but it is something we will see for the rest of our lives. And I’m encouraged by the fact that large companies like General Mills are stepping up to the plate to make a commitment to the gluten-free community.

Editor’s note: For more Q & A with Korn, visit Ask Danna at GlutenFreely.com , a community website and an e-commerce business launched by General Mills, where you can find everything you need to live a gluten-free lifestyle.

Kris Patton is an external communications manager at General Mills, based in Minneapolis. She oversees initiatives for the global responsibility platform. She began her career at General Mills in 2011.
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Aliinjax

I have Gluten Intolerance….Celiacs and Dermatitis Herpetaformis…..Even with the intolerance I was very ill for years and can still be, if I eat any Glutens……but, the DH is horrible….my Dermatologist says I have the worst case he’s ever seen. So, please keep in mind that both are very serious and debilitating I personally am on disability due to these conditions. Does General Mills prepare thier Gluten Free Products in a Gluten Free Facility…..cross contamination is an important consideration.

http://blog.generalmills.com Kris Patton

Thanks for your comment. General Mills products labeled as “gluten free” do not contain wheat, rye, barley, oats or crossbred hybrid of these grains. They also do not contain ingredients that are derived from these grains.

Gluten-free labeled products undergo extensive evaluation. Production locations also assure that no cross-contact can occur during manufacturing and/or packaging. Gluten-free products also are routinely analyzed to assure ongoing compliance with the FDA proposed regulation for “gluten free.” All General Mills products labeled as “gluten free” meet or exceed this standard.

Kris Patton
General Mills

Crawford4fam

As a Celiac patient and having a son who is as well. I’m always on the look out for good tasting food we can eat, and extrememly loyal to companies who are trying to help us. Thank you General Mills! Gluten Free Bisquik and Chex cereal are great, looking forward to a larger GF product line.

Crystal

I’m so excited about the gluten free CHEX cereals!
It’s nice to have a cereal that is both reasonably priced and gluten free.
The gluten free label usually means a few dollars more a box.

Pamcars

It would be very easy to Make Kix gluten free! Any plans in that direction? it would make my kids’ year! Mine too!

Aojjgray

I agree, please make Kix Gluten Free!

http://blog.generalmills.com Kris Patton

Thanks for the feedback, we’ll pass that along!

Kris Patton
General Mills

Tomwoods

Hi Kris..I have tried the General Millls gluten-free cereals and I love them…For some unknow reason they do not love me too much. I’m Ceiliac and about an hour after I eat the product I get an upset stomach…not bad, yet enough to be annoying. I did notice that BHT is added to the product. Do you think this may be a problem. Thanks again for the great articles.

http://blog.generalmills.com Kris Patton

Hi Tom. I’m glad you’re a fan of our gluten-free cereals! BHT is an anti-oxidant used in very tiny amounts as a preservative in some foods. Concerns about whether or not a specific food or ingredient is appropriate for your diet should be discussed with your doctor. Thank you for reading our blog!

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